As an individual, Sanger is worthy of attention for her vision and tenacity of purpose. As a feminist, she returned to women their power. As a pivotal figure of the twentieth century, she raised questions, social and political, whose implications resonate today in the ongoing abortion and overpopulation debates.
Radiant Rebel recaptures the life of Margaret Sanger, taking as its text her published autobiographies and speeches and her unpublished letters and diaries. This ninety-minute one-woman play comprises two forty-minute monologues, which complement and refer to each other; however, if a shorter program is desire, each monologue plays a stand-alone piece.
Part I: 1940
The complete performance opens with Part I:"1940." The time is 17 October 1940; the location: Holyoke,Massachusetts. The situation: the Massachusetts Mothers' Health Council hasproposed an initiative allowing Massachusetts doctors to give advice on contraception - legally--to married couples. Margaret Sanger is supporting the initiative with a speaking tour of Massachusetts and today is holding a press conference to announce a change of location for her Holyoke lecture.
Earlier that week, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John F. Fagan of the Holyoke Catholic church had intimated that an economic boycott would be organized against anyone supporting the Sanger lecture, and the First Congregational Church of Holyoke, which was to have presented the lecture, quickly withdrew permission for the use of its church as a venue. Arrangements were then made to hold the lecture in a new location, the Turn Verein Hall.
Sanger enters the press conference, delighted at the number of press attending, announces that her lecture will no be held at the Turn Verein Hall, thanks the press for coming, and prepares to take questions.
The phone rings, and she learns that the Turn Verein Hall has returned her deposit securing the hall. Mr. Belisle, the caller, who is with the Massachusetts Mothers' Health Council, will talk to the Methodists about using their premises for the evening lecture.
Sanger recalls the many times throughout her life when she has been denied the right to speak. She recalls her first marriage and then describes her second husband, Noah Slee, and his contributions to thecause of Birth Control. Mr. Belisle calls to say that the Methodists have refused use of their space, and Sanger suggests that he talk to the YMCA.
Sanger describes an amusing spat with Noah and then excuses herself to take a telephone call from her good friend Juliette Rublee. Belisle calls with the news that the YMCA is not available and suggests an open air meeting. Sanger is horrified, but recovers to recall triumphs and travails of the 30s--her happy return to her hometown of Corning and the years spent in Washington, DC, trying to pass legislation making contraception legal and available.
Belisle now calls to say that an open air meeting requires a permit from the mayor but that the mayor is out of town. Sanger reminds Belisle that she received a Town Hall Award for her "contributions to the enlargement and enrichment of Life." She next describes trips to Japan and Indian and her meeting with Ghandi. It is growing late, and the act ends dramatically.
A year earlier Sanger had been indicted by the Federal government for publishing in her newspaper, The Woman Rebel,"obscene" articles--articles that demanded birth control be made legal. The federal Comstock laws in force since 1873 deem the subject--even the very word "contraception"--to be "obscene." So strict are these laws that even medical doctors face a prison sentence if they are discovered giving advice on contraception to a patient.
Once in court, Sanger finds an openly hostile court and a determined prosecutor, who, knowing the public to be preoccupied with World War I, is ready to railroad Sanger into prison. Realizing that a prison term would put her work to an end, Sanger fled to Europe. During her year away, new popular support for Birth Control has arisen. Now she has returned to face trial and, by doing so, openly to fight for Birth Control and the rights of women
Sanger begins her speech by pleading guilty to have worked for Birth Control and the cause of all women. She then recalls her childhood, growing up in Corning, New York, and the death of her mother, who died of tuberculosis at 49 years of age after eleven childbirths and seven miscarriages. Sanger describes her nursing studies, her marriage, and the building and partial destruction by fire of the home designed by her first husband. Sanger relates the well-known story of Mrs. Sacks, whom Sanger nursed after one abortion and who died aftr another abortion only a few months later. The death of Mrs. Sacks galvanizes Sanger to dedicate her life to the cause of Birth Control.
Sanger tells of her 1913 trip to France, her first step in her search for learning about practical contracepti8ve measures.She describes her year ;of exile in England , where she was researching at the British Library and preparing her defense. Although her research goes well, she was much concerned about her daughter, whom she fear missed her greatly.
Sanger has hardly returned to New York before she faces a great personal tragedy, which determines her more than ever to fight for birth control for the sake of all women and their children. At a personal level, Sanger understands the preciousness of a wanted child and the necessity that "every child shall be wanted."
Elaine Moe, director, co-founded the Megaw Theatre, Inc.and Megaw Actor's Studio in Los Angeles, CA, and Tucson, AZ, with business partner Sydney May Morrison. Moe has received critical honors and career achievement awards from the LA Drama Critics Circle, Drama-Logue, LA Weekly, LA Reader, Robby,and others for work as actor, director, and theatre administrator.
Copyright @ 2001Miriam Reed Productions